Falling tree claims life of Kalispell logger
Michelle Lovato | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 7 months AGO
Randy Scott Drollinger, 61, of Kalispell died Monday when a tree fell on him at a logging camp near Lake Mary Ronan.
About half a dozen fellow crew members worked unsuccessfully to revive Drollinger. “That crew did a heroic job trying to save his life,” Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said.
They performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation while waiting for emergency responders.
Chief Cliff Volunteer Fire Department and the ALERT medical helicopter went to the Camp Tuffit Road location.
The helicopter crew guided ground crews to the accident scene before landing on a nearby ridge. The roads were in considerable disrepair, were confusing and hindered emergency responders’ arrival, Bell said.
“The camp was in an area that was logged 20 years ago,” Bell said.
Polson Ambulance was dispatched but turned around before it reached the scene.
Drollinger was pronounced dead by Lake County Sheriff Deputy Coroner Nathan White.
The logging camp is located about eight miles south of Lake Mary Ronan.
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